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Help me realize my painting exhibition, public discussions, archive, and podcast series around the theme of political memes.

I am a visual artist, independent curator, and art educator teaching at Willem de Kooning Academy. I usually work with interactive sculptures, urban interventions, video, and other mediums. My main interests are common memories, collective decision-making, playfulness, humor, and nature. Since 2015, through different projects, I have focused my practice on undermining (and finding alternatives for) representative systems.

exhibition information and press releases:

Het Wilde Weten, Rotterdam | Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, June 15, 2025

What happens when political power meets digital culture? When history is recorded not in textbooks but in memes? Politics of Idiocracy, the latest project by Rotterdam-based artist Pendar Nabipour, transforms iconic political bloopers into paintings, questioning how absurdity, media, and collective memory shape today’s leadership.

Hosted at Het Wilde Weten, an artist-run space known for fostering critical and experimental practices, this six-week exhibition and residency explores art, journalism, and satire. Through painting, public discussions, and an ongoing archive, Politics of Idiocracy invites audiences to reflect on the fragility of those in power, human vulnerabilities, the viral nature of political moments, and the role of humor in public discourse.

May 1 – May 29: Open studio Residency & public discussions

The project space at Het Wilde Weten will serve as a working studio, where Pendar will be present daily, completing the final touches on the paintings. Visitors are welcome to observe the process and engage in informal discussions.

Additionally, four public discussion events will be held every Friday (May 2, 9, 16, and 23) from 17:00 to 20:00, featuring guest speakers and interactive discussions on themes such as:

• Friday, May 2: Digital culture and the role of memes in shaping political narratives
• Friday, May 9: Journalism, representation, and the tension between truth and satire
• Friday, May 16: The future of democracy in an era of spectacle and viral media
• Friday, May 23: Human vulnerability, power, and the absurdity of leadership

These events are free to attend with registration via this Google form

May 30  – June 15: Exhibition & Special Events

Opening Night | Friday May 30 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

The exhibition officially opens with a presentation of 10 large-scale paintings (120x120 cm), each based on journalistic images turned into viral political memes. The exhibition also presents audio recordings of the already recorded podcast sessions with experts, and public discussion sessions.

Exhibition Hours:

• Monday, June 2 – Sunday, June 15 – Open daily from 16:00 – 20:00
• The exhibition visit hours for 6 and 13 of June are from 16:00 to 17:30
• Visits outside these hours are available by appointment via this Google form

Media & Politics Event | Friday 6 June | 17:00 – 20:30

A discussion event with an artist talk, guest speaker and a Q&A session with guests and participants working in media and politics. During this event we will have a professional discussion about the impact of the two industries in the real world and on the lives of the public. Register via this Google form to stay up to date with the details of the event and the names of the speakers.

Exclusive Auction & 10-Course Dinner | Friday, June 13 | 18:00 – 22:00

On Friday, June 13, an invitation-only auction event will offer collectors a unique opportunity to acquire Nabipour’s original paintings. The evening includes a 10-course dinner (for 10 paintings), where the artist will provide insights into each artwork’s background, themes, and historical references. The 10-course dinner will be prepared and presented by Atelier Consommé.

Guests must register and purchase a ticket in advance through this Google form.

An ongoing archive & future publications

Beyond the exhibition, Politics of Idiocracy will continue as an evolving digital archive (@politicsofidiocracy on Instagram), documenting the memes, political imagery, and discussions shaping contemporary discourse. Additionally, the dialogues from the public events and expert interviews will be published as a podcast series.

For media inquiries, interviews, and event registrations, please contact:

Pendar Nabipour me@pendarnabipour.com 

Stay updated via Instagram (@pendarnabipour) and the website: pendarnabipour.com/politicsofidiocracy

Press Release - EN
Press Release - NL

The contribution:

All contributions from this project will be used for:

Project space rent, auctioneers & the auction event, urban posters & advertisement, transportation, public events, podcast guest fees, and finissage dinner.